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Education as theLifeline to Social Mobility
for Youth in Foster Care
Dr. Doris M. Houston- Illinois State University
Dr. Jennifer M. Geiger- The University of Illinois at Chicago
Forefront: College and Career Access, Persistence and Success
(CCAPS)
EDUCATIONAL ACCESS Offers a
Lifeline to Social Mobility
• An individual with a Bachelor’s degree will earn 84% more than someone with a high school degree.
Carnevale, A.P., Rose, S.J., & Cheah, B. (2011). The college payoff: Education, occupation, and lifetime earnings. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Center on
Education and the Workforce. Retrieved from: https://www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/reg/hearulemaking/2011/collegepayoff.pdf
2
BACHELOR'S DEGREE ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE HIGH SCHOOL DEGREE
$3.8M
$1.7M$1.3M
Foster Care, Childhood Trauma, and Challenges to College and Career Access 3
Children in Foster Care Nationwide
The AFCARS Report: Preliminary FY 2015 Estimates as of June 2016 (23) (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS], 2016), available at
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cb/afcarsreport23.pdf.
Median age:
6.3 years397,605 397,301401,213
414,429
427,910
380,000
385,000
390,000
395,000
400,000
405,000
410,000
415,000
420,000
425,000
430,000
435,000
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
YO
UT
H IN
CA
RE
FISCAL YEAR
Children in Foster Care Nationwide
488,000
2007
4
Children in Foster Care have a 50/50 Chance
of Returning Home
Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2017). Foster care statistics 2015. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s
Bureau. https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/foster/
3%
3%
6%
4%
3%
24%
55%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Living With Other Relatives
Guardianship
Goal Not Yet Established
Emancipation
Long-term Foster Care
Adoption
Reunification
2015
5
• Abuse/Neglect
• Parent who’s an alcoholic
• Mother who’s a domestic violence survivor
• Family member in jail
• Family member diagnosed with a mental illness
• Disappearance of a parent through
divorce, death, abandonment.
ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACEs) 1
Holman, D., Ports, K., Buchanan, N., Hawkins, N., Merrick, M., Metzler, M., & Trivers, K. (2016). The Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Risk of
Cancer in Adulthood: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Pediatrics, 138:S81-S91.
6
The Intersection of Foster Care and ACEs
Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2017). Foster care statistics 2015. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s
Bureau. https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/foster/
Foster Care Involvementand ACES
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Alcohol Abuse Child
Parent Death
Relinquishment
Child Disability
Drug Abuse Child
Sexual Abuse
Abandonment
Alcohol Abuse Parent
Parent Incarceration
Inadequate Housing
Child Behavior Problem
Physical Abuse
Caretaker Inability to Cope
Drug Abuse Parent
Neglect
10,330 (4%)
6,085 (2%)
4,514 (2%)
2,569 (1%)
2,019 (1%)
1,320 (0%)
12,363 (5%)
14,978 (6%)
21,006 (8%)
27,002 (10%)
30,124 (11%)
34,647 (13%)
37,243 (14%)
85,937 (32%)
161,791 (61%) 7
Illinois Youth In Care8
9There are changing dynamics in our foster care system:
Abuse is on the decline while Neglect is on the rise
76%
81%82%81%
84%
87%89%NEGLECT 17%16%
14%15%
13%11%
10%ABUSE
Changing case dynamics
Walker, B.J. (2017) Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, 0-3 Working Conference
Children in Foster Care Leave Their Families, Schools, Communities
• 14,640 Illinois children in foster care (FY16)
• Distance from home of origin: 11.4 miles
Children and Family Research Center (2016). Conditions of Children in or at Risk of Foster Care in Illinois: 2016 Monitoring Report of the B.H. Consent Decree. Urbana, IL:
Authors
10
11
Illinois Time to Return home
Walker, B.J. (2017) Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, 0-3 Working Conference
Illinois has the
longest period
of time to
achieve return
home in
America, and
nearly double
the national
average.
National Average = 10 Months
…I moved from the first home and went to a temporary shelter and then to another placement...
Then after that I went through a lot of homes…I’ve been like through six or seven foster homes...
…I can’t even remember their names.
Houston, D. (2007). Family Connections Project: Focus Group/Youth Interview Final Report. Normal, Illinois: Illinois State University, Center for Adoption
Studies.
12
Foster Care, Child Trauma, and Educational Outcomes
•2x more likely to be absent from school
•50-75%v change schools upon FC entry
•34% 17-18 year olds: 5+ school changes
•2.5-3.5x more likely to receive special education services
Smithgall, C., Jarpe-Ratner, E., Walker, L. (2010). Looking Back, Moving Forward: Using Integrated Assessments to Examine the Educational Experiences of Children
Entering Foster Care. Chicago: Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago
13
Educational Outcomes for Illinois Foster Youth
• 1/3 of children in care ages 6-10 missed 10+ days in school
• 50%+ ages 11-17 missed 10+ days in school
• 1/3 of children in care ages 3-5 – evidence of a developmental delay
Smithgall, C., Jarpe-Ratner, E., Walker, L. (2010). Looking Back, Moving Forward: Using Integrated Assessments to Examine the Educational Experiences of Children
Entering Foster Care. Chicago: Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago
14
Chapin Hall Study of Chicago School-Aged Children:
• 20% of ALL Chicago children live in households engaged with 2+ Social Welfare/ Legal Entities:• Mental Health Services• Adult Incarceration• Juvenile Incarceration• Child Welfare/Foster Care• Substance Abuse Treatment
Smithgall, C., Jarpe-Ratner, E., Walker, L. (2010). Looking Back, Moving Forward: Using Integrated Assessments to Examine the Educational Experiences of Children
Entering Foster Care. Chicago: Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago
15
Foster Care and Child Well-beingSocia
l/Em
oti
onal
Homelessness (46.6%)
Delinquency/Incarceration(46% women; 74% men)
PTSD (60%)
Early Pregnancy (79% ever; 32% before 18)
Courtney, M., Dworsky, A., Brown, A., Cary, C., Love, K., & Vorhies, V. (2011). Midwest evaluation of the adult functioning of former foster youth: Outcomes at age 26. Chicago, IL: Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.
16
Foster Care and Child Well-being Econom
ic Unemployment (46.8%)
Public Assistance (76.5%)
Economic Hardship (45%)
Courtney, M., Dworsky, A., Brown, A., Cary, C., Love, K., & Vorhies, V. (2011). Midwest evaluation of the adult functioning of former foster youth: Outcomes at
age 26. Chicago, IL: Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.
17
Illinois Foster Care and Racial Disparities (2013) 18
Educator’s Challenge
• Schools and institutions of higher education lack the knowledge-base to address the unique needs and circumstances of students with a history of abuse, trauma, and family instability.1,2
1 Davis, R. J. (2006). College access, financial aid, and college success for students from foster care. Washington, DC: National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.
2 Houston, D. M., & Kramer, L. (2008). Meeting the long-term needs of families who adopt children out of foster care: A three-year follow-up study. Child Welfare, 87, 4, 145-
170.
3 National Working Group on Foster Care and Education (2014). Fostering success in education: National factsheet on the educational outcomes of children in foster care. Retrieved from http://www.fostercareandeducation.org/NationalWork/NationalWorkGroup.aspx
19
Unique Opportunities for Success
Strengths of Youth In Care
• Problem solving• Leadership ability• Managing through bureaucracy• Life wisdom• Resilience: Ability to “bounce back” from adversity• More motivated to succeed compared to their peers
20
Strengths and Talents of Youth in College
Houston, D., Gjesfjeld, C., Avant, D., Miller-Ott, A., & Gholson, T. (2017). Higher Education as the Lifeline to Social Mobility for former Foster Youth: A
Comprehensive Needs and Assets Assessment. Chicago IL: Spencer Foundation.
21
Self-confidence
Resourcefulness
Self-discipline
Influence
Social skills
Determination
Enthusiasm
4.42
4.26
4.14
4.14
4.05
4.03
3.95
Organizational skills
Creativitiy
Focus
Communication
Help-seeking skills
Time
Study skills
3.93
3.89
3.85
3.81
3.74
3.73
3.58
The Impact of Education for Youth in Care
Young People Families Our Communities
22
Creating Pathways to College for Youth in Care
• Providing information and connections to youth, their caregivers, and DCFS/child welfare workers EARLY and FREQUENTLY
• Creating a culture of postsecondary education and training and normalizing this experience
• Organizing documents, knowing options (schools/programs), financial aid, social supports, and living arrangements
• Developing a plan and executing it (know what’s expected, what are deadlines)
23
Promising Practices: Pre-College Preparation and Bridge Programs
• First Star Academy
• Pre-College Bridge Programs for Foster Care Alumni• Example: Bridging Success Early-Start at
Arizona State University1
• Key Program Components
24
1Geiger, J.M., Cheung, J.R., Hanrahan, J.E., Lietz, C.A., & Carpenter, B. (2017). Increasing competency, self-confidence, and connectedness among foster care alumni entering a 4-year university: Findings from an early-start program. Journal of Social Service Research, 43(5), 566-579.
Financial Aid Options
• Federal
• Pell Grants
• Work-Study
• Loans (Subsidized and Non-subsidized)
• State-Level
• Youth in College
• Youth in Scholarship
• Institutional
• Merit Based
• Need Based
• Private Scholarships
25
Promising Practices: On-Campus Support Programs
• Prevalence1
• Key Program Components1,2
• Counseling• Housing• Academic Support• Coaching/Mentoring• Connecting with other FCA• Relationships with Key
On-Campus Units
• Challenges & Successes1
• Program• Student
Psychological
Emotional
Trauma
Academic
Social
Practical
Success
26
1Geiger, J.M., Piel, M.H., Day, A., & Schelbe, L. (2018). A Descriptive Analysis of Programs Serving Foster Care Alumni in Higher Education:
Challenges and Opportunities. Children and Youth Services Review, 85, 287-294.2Geiger, J.M., Hanrahan, J.E., Cheung, J.R., & Lietz, C.A. (2016). Developing an on-campus recruitment and retention support program for
foster care alumni. Children and Youth Services Review, 61, 271-280.
College-Community Partnerships
•DCFS•Community College & Technical Programs•K-12 Schools•Child Welfare Agencies•Private Foundations & Philanthropy•Court & Legal System
27
Program Recommendations
• Pre-college and on-campus support programs
at ALL large public universities
• Youth in college advisory board
• Statewide & Community Consortiums
• Safe and affordable housing
• Trainings – caregivers, child welfare workers,
on-campus supports
• Getting the word out – Opportunities and
financial aid
• Partner with community colleges – transfer
students
28
Policy Recommendations
• Statewide Tuition & Fee Waiver for FCA
• DCFS Liaison at each college/university
• Data sharing (K-12 and Post-sec Inst.)
• Permanency for youth in care and
placement stability
• Tracking educational progress of youth
in care, youth in college, and beyond
29
Education as a Game Changer for Youth
“We are all kids that are trying to
have the best future that we can.”
“When I had the opportunity to come
to college, I didn’t know what to do. It
can be overwhelming and a resource
like this helps put you in the right
direction. Once you are here, you
realize that you can do whatever you
want to do with your career.”
30
References
31
The AFCARS Report: Preliminary FY 2015 Estimates as of June 2016 (23) (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
[HHS], 2016), available at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cb/afcarsreport23.pdf
Carnevale, A.P., Rose, S.J., & Cheah, B. (2011). The college payoff: Education, occupation, and lifetime earnings.
Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. Retrieved from:
https://www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/reg/hearulemaking/2011/collegepayoff.pdf
Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2017). Foster care statistics 2015. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, Children’s Bureau. https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/foster/
Children and Family Research Center (2016). Conditions of Children in or at Risk of Foster Care in Illinois: 2016 Monitoring
Report of the B.H. Consent Decree. Urbana, IL: Authors
Courtney, M., Dworsky, A., Brown, A., Cary, C., Love, K., & Vorhies, V. (2011). Midwest evaluation of the adult functioning
of former foster youth: Outcomes at age 26. Chicago, IL: Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.
Davis, R. J. (2006). College access, financial aid, and college success for students from foster care. Washington, DC:
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.
References
32
Geiger, J.M., Cheung, J.R., Hanrahan, J.E., Lietz, C.A., & *Carpenter, B. (2017). Increasing competency, self-confidence, and
connectedness among foster care alumni entering a 4-year university: Findings from an early-start program. Journal of Social Service
Research, 43(5), 566-579.
Geiger, J.M., Hanrahan, J.E., Cheung, J.R., & Lietz, C.A. (2016). Developing an on-campus recruitment and retention support program
for foster care alumni. Children and Youth Services Review, 61, 271-280.
Geiger, J.M., Piel, M.H., Day, A., & Schelbe, L. (2018). A Descriptive Analysis of Programs Serving Foster Care Alumni in Higher
Education: Challenges and Opportunities. Children and Youth Services Review, 85, 287-294.
Holman, D., Ports, K., Buchanan, N., Hawkins, N., Merrick, M., Metzler, M., & Trivers, K. (2016). The Association Between Adverse
Childhood Experiences and Risk of Cancer in Adulthood: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Pediatrics, 138:S81-S91.
Houston, D., Gjesfjeld, C., Avant, D., Miller-Ott, A., & Gholson, T. (2017). Higher Education as the Lifeline to Social Mobility for former
Foster Youth: A Comprehensive Needs and Assets Assessment. Chicago, IL: Spencer Foundation.
Houston, D. M., & Kramer, L. (2008). Meeting the long-term needs of families who adopt children out of foster care: A three-year
follow-up study. Child Welfare, 87(4), 145-170.
Houston, D. (2007). Family Connections Project: Focus Group/Youth Interview Final Report. Normal, IL: Illinois State University, Center
for Adoption Studies.
References
33
National Working Group on Foster Care and Education (2014). Fostering success in education: National factsheet on the
educational outcomes of children in foster care. Retrieved from
http://www.fostercareandeducation.org/NationalWork/NationalWorkGroup.aspx
Smithgall, C., Jarpe-Ratner, E., Walker, L. (2010). Looking Back, Moving Forward: Using Integrated Assessments to Examine
the Educational Experiences of Children Entering Foster Care. Chicago: Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.
Walker, B.J. (2017) Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, 0-3 Working Conference.
Dr. Doris M. HoustonAssociate Professor of Social Work Director, Center for Child Welfare and Adoption Studies atIllinois State Universitydmhous2@ilstu.edu
Dr. Jennifer M. GeigerAssistant Professor of Social WorkJane Addams College of Social WorkUniversity of Illinois at Chicagogeigerj@uic.edu
34
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